MUNSTER legend Ronan O’Gara believes Ireland have got it right in picking Sam Prendergast over Jack Crowley for tomorrow’s game with England.
Crowley looked to be the main in possession of the No. 10 shirt following Johnny Sexton’s retirement after the 2023 World Cup and guided Ireland to last year’s Championship.
"Jack has been like a yo-yo for Munster, and when you're a yo-yo for Munster, you don't get in."
Ronan O'Gara had some hard truths for Jack Crowley this morning on Off The Ball Breakfast. 🏉☘️@Team_Optimum | #UnlockMoreYou#Irishrugby #Munsterrugby #IREvENG #SixNations pic.twitter.com/D3cR4pvDr7
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) January 31, 2025
But Prendergast, 21, made his debut last November and got the starting job for the final game of last year against Australia.
And interim coach Simon Easterby has kept faith with him at half-half for the Six Nations opener tomorrow with England.
But La Rochelle coach O’Gara – a former No. 10 – believes it is the right one as he thinks Crowley has not progressed as he hoped since last year’s Championship.
He told Off the Ball: “He’d want to be careful, he might find himself outside the 23 which happens sometimes with the No.10s.
“He can easily go into the group of 30 to 45 who don’t play. It’s not ruthless at all, really, I don’t think.
“He had a fantastic Six Nations for Ireland, and Ireland did, but he didn’t kick on.
“He had a South African tour and he opened the door for competitors to keep having bites, and then in November it was the same.
“I’m a big fan of his and I like what he stands for but you can’t do that.
“It’s confirmed by the announcement of the team to play England, that in the management’s eyes Sam is the better player.
“So Jack has to accept that and say, ‘OK, we’re not building for the future, we’re not looking at my number two’. He’s number two’.
“That was probably hard to take but if he takes good messages from that, replay every action in his head, ‘what will I do here, do I confirm what he’s done, where am I seeing the space?’.
“Sam Prendergast has been exceptional for Leinster.
“Jack has been like a yo-yo for Munster and when you’re a yo-yo for Munster you don’t get in the Irish team.”
